Inspiring Conversations with Sam Sanchez of Sam’s Sports Grill and Sam’s Place

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Sanchez.

Hi Sam , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The journey began when Al met Sam—who had been working at Coach Don Shula’s Steakhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, FL—to help run a restaurant concept he was overseeing as Director of Operations. Not long after, Al purchased Sperry’s from his father and uncle, while Sam was pursuing the opportunity to buy a restaurant of his own. That particular deal didn’t work out, but on the drive home, Sam noticed a struggling sports bar with inconsistent food and service—and saw potential.

Sam brought the idea to Al, and together they decided to take a leap of faith. Sam secured a line of credit against his home, Al matched the investment, and the two got to work—rebuilding the restaurant from the ground up over the next three months. It was a true shoestring startup. With their background at Houston’s, consistency and quality were in their DNA. They created a simple menu focused on great food and even better service.

In the early days, it was all hands on deck. Sam and Al worked 6.5 days a week—Al covering the morning shift, Sam the evening. They didn’t overthink things; they just worked hard and stayed committed to their goal: if they were going to do this, they were going to be the best at it.

Their big opening came just before the Super Bowl at a benefit for Vanderbilt. The plan was to offer free beer and wine with donations, as they weren’t fully ready to charge guests yet. Expecting 125 people, they were stunned when 400 showed up. The drinks ran out by halftime, and in a mad scramble, they borrowed eight kegs of beer from nearby businesses. Just as they were rolling the kegs in, someone shouted, “They got more beer!”—and the crowd erupted.

It was an unforgettable (and chaotic) night—the same night the Titans lost the Super Bowl—but it marked the beginning of something special. Over the past 25 years, Al & Sam are still working tirelessly to ensure that quality and consistency remain the cornerstone of Sam’s.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Looking back, it might seem like a smooth road—but the reality was far from easy. In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was just how quickly things took off. We hadn’t anticipated the level of demand and how busy we would be right out of the gate. It was an incredible blessing, but also a major challenge to keep up while maintaining the quality and consistency we were committed to from day one.

Over the past 25 years, staying true to those core values—consistency and quality—has been the key to our success, but it hasn’t come without its struggles. In more recent years, like many in the industry, we’ve faced significant challenges with staffing and employee retention. And, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of obstacles, including temporary closures and navigating an entirely new way of doing business.

Through it all, we’ve learned, adapted, and stayed focused on what matters most—taking care of our guests and our team, and always striving to be the best at what we do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sam’s Sports Grill and Sam’s Place?
At Sam’s Sports Grill, we’re all about creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment where everyone feels at home. Our motto is simple: We want to make our place, your place. Whether you’re gathering with friends, enjoying a family night out, or catching the big game, Sam’s is the spot.

Each of our locations is surrounded by TVs, making it easy to watch multiple games from any seat in the house—perfect for sports fans who don’t want to miss a moment. But it’s not just about the atmosphere—we’re passionate about serving consistently high-quality food, with a menu full of crowd-pleasing favorites.

You can find us in Belle Meade, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Old Hickory (Blue Turtle Bay), Murfreesboro, and Florence, AL—each with the same dedication to great service, great food, and great memories.

Learn more at samssportsgrill.com and samsplace.net. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Social media has become a huge resource for us—both personally and professionally. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok, especially the rise of Reels, have been great not only for staying entertained but also for picking up trends, inspiration, and new ways to connect with our guests.

On a day-to-day basis, Sam uses a wide variety of apps to help keep things running smoothly—there’s no shortage of tech in the mix when it comes to managing operations.

As for books, a few standouts that have really shaped our mindset and leadership approach are:

Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
Good to Great by Jim Collins

Each one offers valuable insights into leadership, service, and building a strong, purpose-driven business—and they’ve definitely left a lasting impression on how we do what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samssportsgrill.com/ and samsplace.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samssportsgrill_ and https://www.instagram.com/samsplacetn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrBoZEvmf/, https://www.facebook.com/share/1KhXrCsgyy/, https://www.facebook.com/share/1FBEzCuxd8/, https://www.facebook.com/share/169cxouZq5/, https://www.facebook.com/share/16NB2XRPns/, and https://www.facebook.com/share/15L5MWxx6K/